The Austin Independent School District and the Friends of the McCallum Fine Arts Academy will host a grand opening of the beautiful new McCallum Arts Center, Friday, September 30, 2011, 6:30-8:30pm, on the McCallum campus at 5600 Sunshine Drive. The free open house will feature performances, music and artwork by students of the McCallum Fine Arts Academy, culminating with a site-specific aerial dance performed by students under the direction of guest choreographer Sally Jacques of Blue Lapis Light.

The McCallum Fine Arts Academy is a nationally recognized four-year program that provides intensive study in the visual and performing arts for talented students from all across Austin as part of a diverse, inclusive public school campus. The award-winning program enjoys strong community partnerships with the University of Texas College of Fine Arts and a number of noted arts organizations.

In 2008, Austin voters approved bonds to build a new theater and art facility on the McCallum campus. After nearly three years of planning and construction, the state-of-the-art facility is now complete and includes a 500-seat theater, three visual arts classroom studios, gallery space, a scene shop, dressing rooms and costume storage areas.

With the theme “Elevate,” the grand opening of the McCallum Arts Center will mark a new high point for the McCallum Fine Arts Academy, the campus as a whole and the city’s growing arts community. We hope you will join us for this special evening showcasing Austin’s young artists of tomorrow.